Animoca, Rootstock explore Bitcoin treasury tools in Japan

Animoca Brands Japan and RootstockLabs are working on a Bitcoin-native treasury product tailored for Japanese corporations.

Animoca Brands Japan has entered a new collaboration with Rootstock Labs to develop Bitcoin-native treasury tools for Japanese corporations looking to manage digital assets more actively.

The partnership was announced on Jan. 27, in a joint statement from Animoca Brands Japan and RootstockLabs, outlining plans to localize Rootstock’s institutional Bitcoin (BTC) infrastructure for the Japanese market.

Moving beyond passive Bitcoin holdings

Japanese companies have steadily increased exposure to Bitcoin, driven by its growing role as a long-term balance sheet asset. Until now, most corporate strategies have focused on holding Bitcoin rather than using it within on-chain financial systems.

Animoca Brands Japan and RootstockLabs are now exploring how Bitcoin-native tools can support treasury management while remaining anchored to Bitcoin’s proof-of-work security. The partnership will assess options like treasury optimization, Bitcoin-backed financial strategies, and access to Rootstock-based assets like rBTC, a one-to-one Bitcoin-pegged token utilized throughout Rootstock’s DeFi ecosystem. 

With over 80% of Bitcoin’s hash power contributing to its security, Rootstock operates as a Bitcoin sidechain secured through merged mining. Institutions with stringent risk controls are drawn to the network because it supports Ethereum-compatible smart contracts and has consistently maintained uptime since its launch in 2018.

Institutional focus within Japan’s regulatory framework

For Japanese companies adopting digital assets, security, governance, and compliance continue to be top priorities. Kensuke Amo, CEO of Animoca Brands Japan, has noted that Japanese businesses prioritize structured frameworks when handling cryptocurrency assets, especially in treasury operations.

Rootstock Institutional, which serves professional and enterprise users, will be evaluated for its ability to support Japanese firms. The scope includes Bitcoin-based borrowing, on-chain yield strategies, and infrastructure designed to meet local regulatory standards, along with the technical and legal requirements for operating in Japan.

Animoca Brands Japan may offer these capabilities through its Digital Asset Treasury Management Support Service, launched in September 2025. The service provides end-to-end assistance for listed companies developing digital asset strategies that fit internal governance standards and risk policies.

While the initiative does not involve investment advisory or crypto exchange services under Japanese law, it reflects rising interest among Japanese corporations in structured, Bitcoin-native treasury solutions as digital assets become more popular on corporate balance sheets.